Kiosk for energy industry logistics

ABSTRACT

An automated kiosk and related apparatus provide check-in and boarding services to energy sector passengers, such as helicopter passengers. Preferably, the kiosk and related apparatus can take and store a picture of the passenger, calculate and/or measure the weight of the passenger and the passenger&#39;s luggage, print luggage tags and boarding printouts, check third parties&#39; databases (such as a no-fly list (NFL)) for approval for the passenger&#39;s flight and can transmit data to another location (server, third party employer, pilot).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority of our U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/591,704,filed 27 Jan. 2012, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to kiosks for passenger and cargoprocessing in the energy sector. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to kiosks for oilfield helicopter, small airplane, andmarine travel.

2. General Background of the Invention

There are self check-in kiosks at many airports. However, to theknowledge of the inventors, passenger and cargo processing kiosks arenot being utilized in the heliports, marine ports, and other ports thatservice the energy sector.

The following patents and publications and websites are incorporatedherein by reference: EP2369554; US2005/0258231; US2008/0024271;US2011/0173549; U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,096: System and method for aircraftpassenger check-in and boarding using iris recognition; U.S. Pat. Nos.7,628,324; 7,086,591: Airport check-in system and method; U.S. Pat. No.6,695,203: Boarding pass processing unit, boarding gate reader, personcollation unit, boarding system, boarding pass, boarding pass processingmethod, service kiosk for boarding pass;

-   http://www.fixairlines.com/;-   http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/expresscheckin/index.html;-   http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/travel/basics/check-in/self-bag-tagging.shtml;-   http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=124126    7362173; http://www.dataflyt.com/index.html (weighs a passenger and    scans a drivers license).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an automated kiosk and related apparatusfor providing self-service check-in and boarding services to energysector passengers and cargo. The present invention includes software andhardware. Preferably, the kiosk and related apparatus can take and storea picture of the passenger, calculate and/or measure the weight of thepassenger and the passenger's luggage and/or cargo, print luggage tagsand boarding printouts that contain the passenger's photo, checkidentification, check third parties' databases (such as a no-fly list(NFL), or other customer specific screening requirements, such as anydestination specific training requirement and drug screeningrequirements) for approval for the passenger's flight and can transmitdata to another location (server, third party employer, pilot). Thepresent invention can also be used in freight shipping and othertransportation check-in and tracking.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatusincludes a transportation sector style self-service kiosk capable ofpassenger self check-in and boarding pass issuance with addedfunctionality related to the energy sector. The apparatus preferablyincludes a display screen which faces the passenger and optionally asimilar second display screen which is visible to a representative or anemployee of the energy transport service company. This second displayscreen can be in a bank of screens visible to the employee when thereare multiple kiosks at a transportation port. The second display screenpreferably displays everything which is displayed to the passenger, andmay additionally display security warnings and other safetyinstructions, for example. These can include, for example, (1) Is thepassenger listed on a No Fly List? (2) Has the passenger been selectedfor a random drug screening? (3) Does the passenger meet the trainingrequirement of his/her destination? (4) Are the passenger's ID(s) valid?The display on this second screen is preferably not visible to thepassenger. Preferably, the representative or employee can overrideinformation input by the passenger.

Preferably, there is a reader for reading a TWIC (Transportation WorkerIdentification Credential) card either wirelessly through RFID or via acontact smart card reader, a reader for reading a drivers license 1D/2Dbarcode, a reader for reading a magnetic stripe (such as on a creditcard, a drivers license, state IDs, military IDs, or a passport), areader for reading a passport, a reader for reading a fingerprintbiometrically, and a camera for taking a passenger's picture.

The apparatus preferably includes a scale or scales for weighing thepassenger and any luggage/packages of the passenger; for example, therecan be a pressure pad scale on which the passenger stands while checkingin which automatically weighs the passenger, and the passenger can pickup his luggage and packages so that everything, including the passenger,is weighed at one time, or there can be a separate scale for weighingthe luggage and packages which is operatively connected to the kiosk.The detected weight readings are preferably displayed on the kioskscreen and the employee screen. When there is a second scale, it ispreferably adjacent the kiosk so that the luggage and packages can beeasily loaded onto the second scale by the passenger during check-in.The weights can be used to help determine passenger seating and luggageplacement to help balance aircraft, for example.

Preferably, the kiosk prints labels to attach to the luggage andpackages which includes such information as passenger name, passengerflight number, weight of package or luggage, and date of travel, as wellas whether the luggage or package is fragile or overweight. Labels arepreferably color and symbol coded by destination to allow for betterbaggage handling and sorting. Markings can also be used to indicatefragile or overweight items.

The kiosks of the present invention can be similar in appearance andfunction to those in use at airports by commercial airline passengers(these are free-standing kiosks). These kiosks, as preferably do thekiosks of the present invention, typically include a cabinet, a displayscreen (preferably touch-screen) accessible to a passenger standing infront of the kiosk, a computer for processing information received fromthe passenger and for displaying information on the display screen, anda printer for printing boarding passes (and in the case of the presentinvention, luggage tags). These free standing kiosks are typically about62 inches (157.5 cm) high, 23 inches (58.4 cm) wide, 27.5 inches (69.9cm) deep, with the display screen usually being a size of about 19 (48.3cm) inches diagonally, with the center of the screen usually being about50 inches (127.0 cm) from the floor, though sizes will vary dependingupon the needs of a facility or customer. The present inventionpreferably also includes countertop kiosks and wall mounted kiosks.Typically, a countertop kiosk would include a display screen as in thefree-standing kiosk, but usually would connect to a separate printer;the countertop kiosk would likely be about 20 inches (50.8 cm) tall byabout 20 inches (50.8 cm) wide and about 24 inches (61.0 cm) deep,though sizes will vary depending upon the needs of a facility orcustomer. Typically a wall-mounted kiosk would be about the same heightand width as a countertop kiosk, but probably only about 7 or 8 inches(17.8 or 20.3 cm) deep at most, though sizes will vary depending uponthe needs of a facility or customer. It would also preferably beconnected to a separate printer; exemplary dimensions for a wall-mountkiosk are about 12.5″ (31.8 cm) high by 27.5″ (69.9 cm) high by 4.5″(11.4 cm) deep.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings (in whichfor ease of illustration some cabling is omitted), wherein likereference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention (a stand-alone kiosk);

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1 with internal components shown indotted lines;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 1, with the kiosk open;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention including the kiosk shown in FIG. 1 and twoscales;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention including the kiosk shown in FIG. 1 and a scale (for luggage)and a screen facing an attendant;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention (a wall-mounted kiosk);

FIG. 11 is a front view of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 10 showing internal components in dottedlines;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 10 showing the mounting bracket;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention shown in FIG. 10, with the kiosk open;

FIG. 17 is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention including the kiosk shown in FIG. 10 and two scales;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a system of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a screen shot of a welcome screen for a preferred embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a screen shot of a TWIC card scan screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a screen shot of an alternate TWIC card scan screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a screen shot of a drivers' license scan screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a screen shot of a manual drivers' license entry screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a screen shot of a passport scan screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a screen shot of a manual passport entry screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a screen shot of an ISN Card scan screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a screen shot of an ISN Card Alert screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a screen shot of a fingerprint begin screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a screen shot of a fingerprint enrollment screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a screen shot of a first profile update screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a screen shot of a second profile update screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a screen shot of a photo-taking screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a screen shot of an emergency contact entry screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a screen shot of a weigh-in screen for a preferred embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a screen shot of a bag count screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a screen shot of a bag weight screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a screen shot of a weight summary screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a screen shot of a finish screen for a preferred embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a screen shot of a registration specific welcome screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a screen shot of a privacy policy screen for a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a screen shot of a registration specific finish screen for apreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a screen shot of a welcome screen for an alternate embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a screen shot of a TWIC Card scan screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a screen shot of manual TWIC Card screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a screen shot of a drivers' license scan screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a screen shot of a manual drivers' license screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a screen shot of a passport scan screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a screen shot of a manual passport screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a screen shot of a profile verification screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 50 is a screen shot of an additional address entry screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a screen shot of an admin training screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 52 is a screen shot of a finish screen for an alternate embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 53 is a screen shot of a welcome screen for an alternate embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a screen shot of a TWIC Card scan screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a screen shot of manual TWIC Card screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 56 is a screen shot of a TWIC Card scan screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 57 is a screen shot of a fingerprint scan screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 58 is a screen shot of a drivers' license scan screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 59 is a screen shot of a manual drivers' license screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 60 is a screen shot of a passport scan screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 61 is a screen shot of a manual passport screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 62 is a screen shot of a profile verification screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 63 is a screen shot of a HUET destination entry screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 64 is a screen shot of a photo-taking screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 65 is a screen shot of an emergency contact entry screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 66 is a screen shot of a UA Aviation prohibited item declarationnotice screen for an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 67 is a screen shot of a weigh-in screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 68 is a screen shot of a bag count screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 69 is a screen shot of a bag weight screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 70 is a screen shot of a weight summary screen for an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 71 is a screen shot of a finish screen for an alternate embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 72 is a screen shot of a registration specific finish screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 73 is a screen shot of a registration specific HUET training entryscreen for an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 74 is a screen shot of a registration specific privacy policyscreen for an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 75 is a screen shot of registration specific welcome screen for analternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an automated, self service free-standingkiosk 10 (FIGS. 1-9) an automated, self service wall-mounted kiosk 110(FIGS. 10-17) and related apparatus for providing check-in and boardingservices to for example helicopter passengers and cargo (the kiosks canalso be used offshore to automate personnel tracking and personnel onboard (POB) requirements). The present invention includes software andhardware (see FIGS. 1-5 and 10-17). Preferably, the kiosk 10, 110 andrelated apparatus can take and store a picture of the passenger,calculate and/or measure the weight of the passenger and the passenger'sluggage, print luggage tags and boarding printouts (which can include aphoto of the passenger), integrate with third parties' databases (suchas no-fly lists (NFL)) for approval for the passenger's flight and cantransmit data to another location (server, third party employer, pilot).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kiosk is astand-alone kiosk 10. In an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the kiosk is a wall-mounted kiosk 110. In another alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the kiosk is a countertop kiosk(not shown). All embodiments of the kiosk do the following, preferablyin the following order:

(1) Scan TWIC/Passport/Driver's License/Fingerprint;

(2) Gather passenger details;

(3) Gather flight details;

(4) Check passenger validity (Valid ID, NFL, Drug ScreeningRequirements, Training Requirements);

(5) Take photo of passenger;

(6) Gather passenger and baggage weight and count details;

(7) Print baggage tags;

(8) Print boarding pass;

(9) Distribute check-in details (to a 3rd party or 3rd parties).

Preferably, a passenger's picture is taken at the time of check-in andwill be printed on the boarding pass. The purpose of the picturedboarding pass is to enhance the security screening that takes placeprior to a passenger boarding the helicopter or other aviation or marinevessel. Passengers must currently present their government or stateissued ID to a security guard prior to boarding. The pictured boardingpass could replace the photo ID requirement.

Preferably, passengers interact with the kiosk while standing on a scale70 at the base of the kiosk. By doing so his or her weight is capturedduring the check-in process. Each baggage piece is preferably weighedindividually on a separate scale 80. In addition to bag weight, thesystem also determines if the bag is overweight and asks the passengerto specify whether it is fragile or overweight or not.

Each piece of luggage is preferably tagged with a label that containsthe passenger's name, a color coded destination and symbol, the bagweight, the total number of bags checked by the passenger, the totalweight of all the passenger's luggage, and any bag-specific details suchas overweight or fragile.

Although the kiosks 10, 110 are usually housed at a field base,passenger data is preferably transmitted over a secure internetconnection, either wired or wirelessly, to centralized servers. Theservers then work with other third party data sets to gather informationsuch as a passenger's flight reservation details, flight eligibility,and training records.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatusincludes a kiosk 10 similar to one which one sees at an airport forpassenger self check-in and boarding pass issue, but includes energysector specific features like TWIC card integration, automaticverification of safety and training credentials, and biometriccapabilities, that make it unique. The apparatus preferably includes atouch screen 20 which faces the passenger and a similar second screen 30(see FIG. 9; second screen not shown in FIG. 5) which is visible to anattendant or employee (not shown) of the transport service company. Thissecond screen can be in a bank of screens visible to the attendant oremployee when there are multiple kiosks at a transportation port. Thesecond screen preferably displays everything which is displayed to thepassenger, and may additionally display passenger-specific securityalerts such as no-fly-list warnings, expired documentation warnings,drug screening requirements, etc. The display on this second screen 30is preferably not visible to the passenger (see FIG. 9). The screenshots shown in FIGS. 19-75 are examples of those typically shown onscreens 20 and 30.

Preferably, there is a reader 40 for reading a TWIC (TransportationWorker Identification Credential) card, a 1D or 2D bar code reader 50for reading a drivers license or other similar cards, such as an ISNcard, a reader 42 for reading a credit card (as by reading a magneticstrip thereon) or a smart card (as by making physical contact with thesmart card) a reader 52 for reading a passport, a reader 54 for readinga passenger's fingerprint, and a camera 60 for taking a photograph ofthe passenger during check-in. The TWIC card can be read in two distinctways: (1) each TWIC card contains a passive RFID chip that containsinformation about the TWIC card and passenger. The kiosk 10, 100 ispreferably equipped with an RFID reader 40 to pull the data. (2) Thekiosk 10, 100 preferably also contains a contact-based smart card readerwhich, like the RFID based chip, contains information about the TWICcard and passenger.

The finger print scanner 54 can be used in conjunction with thepassenger's TWIC card. Each TWIC card contains an image of thepassenger's fingerprint which will be matched against his or her fingerprint scanned during check-in.

Preferably, the kiosk has a barcode reader 50 that reads the 2D barcodeon the back of a drivers license.

The apparatus 10, 110 preferably includes a scale 70 or scales 70 and 80for weighing the passenger and any luggage/packages 90 of the passenger;for example, there can be a pressure pad scale 70 on which the passenger200 stands while checking in which automatically weighs the passenger,and the passenger can pick up his luggage and packages so thateverything, including the passenger, is weighed at one time, or therecan be a separate scale 80 for weighing the luggage and packages 90which is operatively connected to the kiosk. The detected weightreadings are preferably displayed on the kiosk screen 20 and theemployee screen 30 (FIG. 9). When there is a second scale 80, it ispreferably adjacent the kiosk 10, 110 so that the luggage and packages90 can be easily loaded onto the second scale 80 by the passenger 200during check-in (see FIG. 8).

The scale or scales preferably communicate directly and continuouslywith the kiosk software. This integration allows for real timemeasurements while the passenger interacts with the kiosk and can alsobe used to flag both passengers and baggage for special handingrequirements. For instance, in the case of baggage, each baggage piecethat weights over 50 lbs is preferably marked as overweight on thebaggage tag with verbiage, colors, and symbols. In the case of largeframe passengers, special seating may be assigned to match body typewith emergency exits. Emergency exit to body frame matching allows forlarger framed passengers to escape from larger exits in the event of acrash.

Preferably, the stand-alone kiosk 10 (and the printer connected towall-mounted kiosk 110) prints labels to attach to the luggage andpackages which includes such information as passenger name, passengerflight number, weight of package or luggage, and date of travel, as wellas whether the luggage or package is fragile or overweight. For example,one might see the following information on a label:

Last Name

First Name

Middle Name

Destination Lease Area

Destination Block No.

Destination Structure Name

Destination Nick Name

Other Destination Details

Baggage Weight

Baggage Number

Total Bags

Fragile

Passenger Weight

Total Weight (bags)

Over 50 Lbs

Destination Color

Barcode of baggage ID

The printer 120 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 7) can print from a roll of paperor roll of adhesive labels 130 (see FIG. 4). Printer 120 is preferablypositioned in the kiosk 10 such that anything printed (boarding passes,luggage tags) cannot be touched until printing is complete (to preventpassengers from tearing the passes or tags before they are finishedprinting). This is preferably accomplished by, in the case of thebaggage tag printer, an external metal guide used to cover the printer'soutput tray and guide the baggage tag into a sleeve where the passengercan retrieve his or her tag. Protecting the boarding pass from prematureremoval is preferably handled internally by the boarding pass printer120. Once the boarding pass is fully printed and cut, the printerpreferably then releases the boarding pass for passenger retrieval.After boarding passes and luggage tags are printed and cut, they aredropped into dispenser 140, from which they are retrieved by a passenger200.

A boarding pass will preferably be printed for each passenger and willpreferably include information such as:

Last Name

First Name

Middle Name

Destination Lease Area

Destination Block No.

Destination Structure Name

Destination Nick Name

Number of Bags

Passenger Weight

Bag Weight

Total Weight (passenger and bags)

Date Printed

Barcode of passenger ID.

Additionally, the boarding pass will preferably include at least agrayscale picture of the passenger. The pictured boarding pass can beused in the pre-board passenger screening process as a more efficientway to process passengers. The inventors are also considering displayinga full color photo of the passenger on a monitor when the boarding passis scanned by the security guard.

A wall-mounted kiosk 110 may be connected to a separate printer eithervia wires or wirelessly.

Kiosk 10, 110 may include a computer 64 and computer keyboard 150. Dataand files can be added to the computer via wires or wirelessly orthrough data input the computer keyboard, for example.

Instead of inputting information via a touch screen, information can beinput by a passenger via a keyboard and mouse, for example, or by arepresentative of the energy sector or logistics company via a keyboarda keyboard and mouse, for example (see, for example FIG. 9).

Registration, Check-In

Registration into the Helipass® system allows for profiles to be createdthat can be updated each time a passenger goes through the system. Thissingular process is one that separates Helipass® from other offerings.Most systems require focal points or administrators to administer theseupdate procedures. By allowing the user to scan information in acontrolled format, the profile and associated data are kept up to date.

Ease of Check-in

One important feature of the Helipass® system revolves around the lookupof a profile once a user has been registered. At any point during thecheck-in process, if a card is scanned that validates to a profile, anyother data collected during that session is used to update the profileat that point. This allows for streamlined updating of profileinformation, even if the user may be carrying different or additionalIDs during the use of the system. This is a feature that separatesHelipass® from other offerings currently in the market.

The present invention can also be used on an offshore platform.Particularly well suited for offshore use is the wall mount unit. Thekiosks of the present invention (and particularly the wall mount unit)can be used offshore to automate the tracking of personnel movements andpersonnel on board (POB) requirements. When used in conjunction with theshore based kiosks and the logistics management solution of the presentinvention, passengers will be able to check-in and out of offshorelocations by scanning their fingerprint, TWIC, drivers license, etc.Each kiosk can be tied to a particular offshore platform or field ofplatforms and will preferably keep track of current personnel on boardand planned inter-field and intra-field transports. Authenticated userscan access the Helipass® web portal to query a person's whereabouts. TheHelipass® web portal can also be used to view passenger registrants andcheck-ins.

Optionally, the kiosk 10, 110 of the present invention queries whether apassenger is current in specified qualifications, such as HUET. If forexample a passenger is not HUET current, kiosk 10, 110 can query whetherthe passenger can swim.

FIGS. 19-75 are examples of screen shots which a user of kiosk 10, 110will see when using the kiosks.

PARTS LIST

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in thepresent invention:

Parts Number Description 10 kiosk of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention 12 Optional extended rear housing for extended paperrolls 14 Catch tray for bag tags 16 access door 18 access door 20 touchdisplay screen (such as model no. 1939L produced by eloTouch or 19″(48.3 cm) monitor with eloTouch TS0017 overlay) 22 boarding pass printeroutput slot 24 lock 30 rear touch display screen (such as model no.1715L produced by EloTouch Systems, or 1247L 12″ (30.5 cm) Open Frame(acoustic touch) produced by EloTouch Systems http://www.elotouch.com/Products/LCDs/1247L/default. asp) 32 vent grill 34 cableaccess hole 36 access panel 40 Wireless RFID TWIC card reader (such asmodel no. RDR-7P71AKU produced by RFIDeas) 42 Contact TWIC (Smart Card)and Magnetic Stripe card reader such as model no. SPT3- 855-33-1NN0N-0Cproduced by IDTech, or SPECTRUM III W HYBIRD INSERT (insert smart cardscanner)—configured for PCSChttp://www.idtechproducts.com/products/insert-readers/69.html or, RFIDFIPS201 RFIDEAS pcProx contactless scanner) 50 barcode scanner withdriver's license reader (such as model no. MS4980 produced by Honeywellor VuQuest 3310, (such as Honeywell 3310g barcode scanner (2d and 3dbarcode)—includes easyDLhttp://www.honeywellaidc.com/en-US/Pages/product.aspx? category=Area%20Imager%203&cat=HSM&pid=Vuquest3310g) 52 passport scanner (such as3M-Rochford Thompson, RTE6700http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US /Security/Security_Systems/Products_Services/Document_Authorization/Document_Readers/Codeline/) 54fingerprint scanner (such as Lumidigm Venus OEM Module V300http://www.lumidigm.com/venus-series-oem-module/) 60 camera 64 miniaturecomputer (such as FitPC3 Basic 4GB Win7 Home Premium (includes 4 portusb FACE Module) http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc/fit-pc3-info/) 66access door70 passenger scale (such as model no. GP400204 produced byCardinal/Detecto) 80 baggage scale (such as Model Number: Champ IICH150R, Manufacturer: Ohaus) 81 digital scale indicator (such as modelno. 204 produced by Cardinal, model CD-11 by Ohaus, T32ME by Ohaus, orMettler Toledo Panther+) 90 package 92 additional operator monitor (suchas 19′ DELL LCD LCDDELL198FP; the monitor may be one of severalmanufacturers sold through and rebranded as Dell, Dell OptiPlex 790, SFFWin7Pro 32bit) 96 Speakers (such as those produced by Kiosk InformationSystems) 110 kiosk of a preferred embodiment of the present invention112 wall mount (such as a quick detach wall mount)120 baggage tagprinter (such as an Epson Secure Color TM-C3400 printer with papercutter) 122 boarding pass printer (such as ITK38 Series Wide FormatKiosk Printer manufactured by Practical Automation), or EPSONTM-C3400-11 USB PRINTER http://pos.epson.com/colorworks/C3400.aspx, orPRACTICAL AUTOMATION PRINTER ITK-38http://www.practicalautomation.com/kiosk-printers.html) 130 roll of bagtag printer paper (the EPSON baggage tag printer can use 2″ × 800′ mattesynthetic labels manufactured by RACO Industries or custom printedhelipass ® label printer paper; 132 roll of boarding pass printer paper(the Practical Automation can use any roll of paper with a width between6.5″ (16.5 cm) and 8.5″ (21.6 cm)). 140 luggage tag and package labeldispenser 142 hinge 148 computer mouse 150 computer keyboard 155 coolingfan In addition to the items listed above the inventors also contemplateusing the following: Passport Scanner: Model Number—KioskPV35-02-17-00-01, Manufacturer—3M; Fingerprint Scanner: ModelNumber—Verifier 300, Manufacturer—CrossMatch; Camera: Model NumberCF910, Manufacturer: Logitech. List of Acronyms:1D/2D—one-dimensional/two-dimensional HUET—Helicopter Underwater EgressTraining ID—Identification ISN—I.S. Networld MRZ—machine readable zoneOCR—optical character recognition RFID—radio frequency identificationTWIC—Transportation Worker Identification Credential

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. Allmaterials used or intended to be used in a human being arebiocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A kiosk apparatus for assisting a passenger preparing to embark on transportation within the energy industry, comprising: an input device for allowing the passenger to input information; a first display screen for displaying information; a reader for reading at least one of TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) cards, credit cards, drivers licenses, passports, and fingerprints; a scale operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing the passenger; a printer or printers for printing boarding passes and luggage tags; and a second display screen for allowing a representative of a helicopter flight company to observe what is displayed to the passenger on the first display screen.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger meets an energy company's screening requirements.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger's bag is fragile.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger's bag is overweight.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk prints boarding passes with the passenger's photo thereon.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk checks third parties' NFL (no-fly list) database for approval for the passenger's flight.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk transmits data to another location including a server, a third party employer, or a pilot.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the TWIC card reader for reading the passenger's TWIC card includes a contact reader.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the TWIC card reader for reading the passenger's TWIC card includes a contactless reader.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reader for reading the passenger's drivers license reads a 2D barcode on the back of the drivers license.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reader for reading the passenger's drivers license reads the drivers license optically to create an image then performs OCR (optical character recognition) on the image.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic stripe reader for reading magnetic strips on credit cards, drivers licenses, and passports.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a passport scanner that has an ability to read passports through scanning the passports' machine readable zone and optically with OCR technology.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a scale operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing luggage.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printer prints the passenger's photo on the boarding pass.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printer or printers prints color coded luggage tags.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a passport scanner.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint scanner.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera for photographing the passenger.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk stands alone.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk is mounted to a wall.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk sits on a countertop.
 23. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is current in specified qualifications, such as HUET (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training).
 24. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is on a no fly list.
 25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the printer or printers prints symbol coded luggage tags.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printer or printers prints symbol coded luggage tags.
 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the representative can override information input by the passenger.
 28. A kiosk apparatus for assisting a passenger preparing to embark on transportation within the energy industry, comprising: a touch display screen for allowing the passenger to input information; a reader for reading at least one of TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) cards, credit cards, drivers licenses, passports, and fingerprints; a scale operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing the passenger; a printer or printers for printing boarding passes and luggage tags; and a second display screen for allowing a representative of a helicopter flight company to observe what is displayed to the passenger on the touch screen.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the representative can override information input by the passenger.
 30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger meets an energy company's screening requirements.
 31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is current in specified qualifications, such as HUET (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training).
 32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is on a no fly list.
 33. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 to check in a passenger for energy industry transportation, comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 1; and allowing the passenger to input information.
 34. A method of using the apparatus of claim 28 to check in a passenger for a helicopter flight, comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 28; and allowing the passenger to input information.
 35. A kiosk apparatus for assisting a passenger preparing to embark on transportation within the energy industry, comprising: a touch display screen for allowing the passenger to input information; a reader for reading at least one of TWIC cards, credit cards, drivers licenses, passports, and fingerprints; a printer or printers for printing at least one of boarding passes and luggage tags, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger meets an energy company's screening requirements, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is current in specified qualifications, such as HUET (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training).
 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk transmits data to another location including a server, a third party employer, or a pilot.
 37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger's bag is fragile.
 38. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a scale operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing luggage.
 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger's bag is overweight.
 40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk prints boarding passes with the passenger's photo thereon.
 41. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk checks third parties' NFL (no-fly list) database for approval for the passenger's flight.
 42. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the TWIC card reader for reading the passenger's TWIC card includes a contact reader.
 43. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the TWIC card reader for reading the passenger's TWIC card includes a contactless reader.
 44. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the reader for reading the passenger's drivers license reads a 2D barcode on the back of the drivers license.
 45. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the reader for reading the passenger's drivers license reads the drivers license optically to create an image then performs OCR (optical character recognition) on the image.
 46. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a magnetic stripe reader for reading magnetic strips on credit cards, drivers licenses, and passports.
 47. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a passport scanner that has an ability to read passports through scanning the passports' machine readable zone and optically with OCR technology.
 48. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the printer or printers prints the passenger's photo on the boarding pass.
 49. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the printer or printers prints color coded luggage tags.
 50. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a passport scanner.
 51. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a fingerprint scanner.
 52. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a camera for photographing the passenger.
 53. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk stands alone.
 54. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk is mounted to a wall.
 55. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk sits on a countertop.
 56. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is on a no fly list.
 57. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the printer or printers prints symbol coded luggage tags.
 58. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the printer or printers prints symbol coded luggage tags.
 59. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a scale or scales operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing at least one of the passenger and the passenger's luggage.
 60. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a second display screen for allowing a representative of a helicopter flight company to observe what is displayed to the passenger on the touch display screen, wherein the representative can override information input by the passenger.
 61. A method of using the apparatus of claim 35 to check in a passenger for energy industry transportation, comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 35; and allowing the passenger to input information.
 62. A kiosk apparatus for assisting a passenger preparing to embark on transportation within the energy industry, comprising: a touch display screen for allowing the passenger to input information; a reader for reading at least one of TWIC cards, credit cards, drivers licenses, passports, and fingerprints; a printer or printers for printing at least one of boarding passes and luggage tags, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger meets an energy company's screening requirements, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is on a no fly list.
 63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk transmits data to another location including a server, a third party employer, or a pilot.
 64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger's bag is fragile.
 65. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a scale operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing luggage.
 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger's bag is overweight.
 67. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk prints boarding passes with the passenger's photo thereon.
 68. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk checks third parties' NFL (no-fly list) database for approval for the passenger's flight.
 69. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the TWIC card reader for reading the passenger's TWIC card includes a contact reader.
 70. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the TWIC card reader for reading the passenger's TWIC card includes a contactless reader.
 71. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the reader for reading the passenger's drivers license reads a 2D barcode on the back of the drivers license.
 72. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the reader for reading the passenger's drivers license reads the drivers license optically to create an image then performs OCR (optical character recognition) on the image.
 73. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a magnetic stripe reader for reading magnetic strips on credit cards, drivers licenses, and passports.
 74. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a passport scanner that has an ability to read passports through scanning the passports' machine readable zone and optically with OCR technology.
 75. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the printer or printers prints the passenger's photo on the boarding pass.
 76. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the printer or printers prints color coded luggage tags.
 77. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a passport scanner.
 78. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a fingerprint scanner.
 79. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a camera for photographing the passenger.
 80. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk stands alone.
 81. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk is mounted to a wall.
 82. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk sits on a countertop.
 83. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the kiosk queries whether a passenger is current in specified qualifications, such as HUET (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training).
 84. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the printer or printers prints symbol coded luggage tags.
 85. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the printer or printers prints symbol coded luggage tags.
 86. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a scale or scales operatively connected to the kiosk for weighing at least one of the passenger and the passenger's luggage.
 87. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a second display screen for allowing a representative of a helicopter flight company to observe what is displayed to the passenger on the touch display screen, wherein the representative can override information input by the passenger.
 88. A method of using the apparatus of claim 62 to check in a passenger for a helicopter flight, comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 62; and allowing the passenger to input information. 